Page 584 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

SEPARATION

diversity,” which is a fancy phrase for rebellion to the This would apply to groups as well as to individual
Bible. Have nothing to do with the local clergy Christians. There are many Christian denominations and
associations. Touch not those Charismatic and Third- organizations that have determined that they will not
wave movements that are joining truth with error. rebuke sin, that they will not separate from evil and
Will we follow the way of man, or will we hear and false teaching, that they will not earnestly contend for
heed the cry of God from heaven? “And I heard another the faith, that they will not be concerned about certain
voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, portions of apostolic instruction. God has told us what
that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive to do toward such rebellion. We are to separate from
not of her plagues” (Re. 18:4). those involved in it. To fellowship with those who have
Practical Separation. The Bible commands Christians determined not to obey God’s Word is to sin against
to separate even from those who give evidence of God.
having been born again, yet who refuse to follow the How Do We Practice Biblical Separation?
teachings of the Apostles. There is a time when we are l. Be discerning (1 Th. 5:21). Biblical separation
to separate even from our own brethren (1 Co. 5:11; 2 begins with spiritual and doctrinal discernment. I
Th. 3:6; 1 Ti. 6:5; Mt. 18:15-18). cannot separate from that which is false if I do not know
In all of these passages the writer is speaking of a truth from error. See also Col. 1:9; 3:16; Ph. 1:9; He.
separation from true brethren. This type of separation 5:12-14. This is where separation begins. Each child of
refers primarily to discipline within the local church, but God is to study the Scriptures intently and prayerfully
the principle goes far beyond this. that he might know sound doctrine. He is to exercise
Take 2 Th. 3:6 for an example. Immediately after careful discernment that he might know truth from
giving the command to separate from a disorderly error, good from evil, fidelity from compromise.
brother, the Apostle Paul gives an illustration of this. He 2. Maintain an earnest proclamation and defense of
mentions some who were walking “disorderly, working the faith (Jude 3). “Jude exhorts his readers to contend
not at all, but are busybodies” (2 Th. 3:11-12). In 2 Th. for the faith, not because he loved contention, but
3:14, he repeats the command to separate from such. Is because this is necessary to preserve the faith from
this command limited only to those who are disobedient corruption. Jude says that he would rather write
in the matter of employment? No, the Holy Spirit is concerning the common salvation, but it had become
giving a principle regarding fellowship and separation. necessary to take up the sword. Here is a picture of the
We are to separate from any brother who walks well-balanced Christian: he loves to proclaim “positive
disorderly and who refuses to repent of his truth,” but when necessary he will take up the sword in
disobedience. The issue of employment is one example. defense of the truth. Jude did not say that the Word of
The command would also apply to a brother who is God is its own defense. The believer has to contend for
disobedient to any apostolic teaching. Would God tell us the faith in these times. Jude would have had scant
to separate from a brother who is disobedient in the sympathy for that type of ministerial self-righteousness
matter of employment but not require that we separate which often says, ‘I preach the Gospel and let these
from a brother who is disobedient in the matter of issues alone.’ This convinces some people that he is not
baptism, or in following the N.T. pattern for church a ‘wicked’ separatist, but it also convinces a
government, or any number of other commands which compromising ecclesiasticism that they have nothing to
are at least as important as whether or not one is fear from this ex-Gidionite, who has a number of
employed? We believe the commands to separate from reasons for not serving in Gideon’s army. The prophets
unrepentant, disorderly brethren are principles that contended for the faith within the structure of religious
cover disobedience to all apostolic instruction. Israel, often to their own death. John the Baptist
The Bible makes a distinction between conscious, contended for the faith, incurred the enmity of the
willful rebellion toward Scripture and the issue of religious leadership and was beheaded for denouncing
striving to obey yet falling short because of the old sin by name in high places. Jesus contended for the
Adamic nature. It is one thing for a Christian to fail, yet faith, that the Messianic hope and promise was fulfilled
to be continually aiming for the mark of perfect in Himself and was murdered. Stephen contended for
obedience to God’s commands. It is quite another thing the faith that Christianity was the fulfillment of the Old
for a Christian to set his heart against obeying some Testament faith and was stoned to death. The
portion of God’s Word. The one who has set his heart in evangelical inclusivists of our day, though, seem to be
a conscious, willful way to ignore or disobey some plain alive and doing fairly well! [‘Inclusivist’ refers to those
teaching of the Scriptures is to be avoided, separated who promote ecumenical union and disregard doctrinal
from. and moral purity.] The greatest weapon against
theological corruption and the moral rot of society

584 Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity